Abstract

Aim/Background:
A five-month-old female Duroc pig was presented with a rare case of extra-large ventral abdominal hernia for surgical correction at a private farm in Makurdi, Benue State. The chief complaint was a swelling on the ventral abdomen immediately caudal to the umbilicus near the preputial area. The swelling, first noticed before one month of age, gradually increased in size to a “handball shape” by the time of presentation. The hernia had previously been corrected about a month earlier but reoccurred, appearing larger than the initial swelling.
Methods:
Clinical examination revealed a soft, pliable, and completely reducible hernia mass with a hernia ring measuring approximately 10 cm in width. Following aseptic preparation and concurrent fluid therapy to stabilize the patient, sedation was achieved using xylazine at 3 mg/kg body weight, and general anesthesia was induced with ketamine hydrochloride at 35 mg/kg body weight. An elliptical incision was made at the hernia site to prevent accidental puncture. Blunt dissection was employed to separate abdominal contents from mild adhesions involving muscle, fascia, and peritoneum. The contents were reduced gently into the abdominal cavity, and herniorrhaphy was performed by apposing the edges of the hernia ring with chromic catgut (size 2-0) in three layers using interrupted suture patterns. Post-operative management included antibiotic and Dexanor (anti-inflammatory analgesic) therapy for five days.
Results:
The pig recovered uneventfully, and complete healing was observed by the 12th day post-operation. No complications were recorded throughout the recovery period.
Conclusion:
Successful surgical management of a recurrent extra-large ventral abdominal hernia was achieved through careful aseptic preparation, appropriate anesthesia, and layered herniorrhaphy, resulting in full recovery without postoperative complications.

Key words: Hernia, Pigs, Gilt, Herniorrhaphy, Recovery, Anaesthesia